Rosalind Phillips

It
is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Rosalind Phillips, professor
emerita of music at Trinity. She died Monday, Oct. 26, at the age of 89 in San
Antonio.

Professor
Phillips will be remembered as a gifted vocalist who performed in concert,
opera, and on television, and for being a teacher who challenged her students
in their approach to learning and performing.

Professor
Phillips was born in 1920 in Spencer, Ind., and received a bachelor’s from the
Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music in 1942. She also received a master’s
from Columbia University and a fellowship from Juilliard Graduate School. In
addition, she received private lessons from acclaimed French baritone and teacher
Pierre Bernac and toured with French composer Francis Poulenc.

As
a performer, she appeared in productions by the Metropolitan Opera and the NBC
Opera. She sang with the symphony orchestras of New York, New Jersey, and
Connecticut. She was a soloist at Radio City Music Hall and the Roxie Theater
appearing in revues starring Ray Bolger, Sonia Henie, and Mario Lanza.
She also sang in Broadway shows, performing in Three to Make Ready and Arabian
Nights.

Professor
Phillips came to Trinity in 1961 to teach voice and was a member of the music
department faculty until she retired in 1989.

She
was a member of the National Singing Teachers Association, Sigma Alpha Iota,
the Symphony Women’s Committee of the San Antonio Symphony, and the Opera Guild
of San Antonio.

In
2007, Amy Becker ’89, a former student, established the Rosalind Phillips Vocal
Excellence Competition in her honor. The 3rd annual
competition took place on Sunday, Oct. 25.

“Her
commitment to assisting young singers in developing their craft stretched far
beyond outstanding vocal technique,” wrote Ms. Becker in the program for the
competition. “Miss Phillips was a gifted and passionate teacher.”

A
memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, in the Parker
Chapel. The Reverend Raymond Judd will officiate.